Switch



March 20, 1934. M. H. RHODES SWITCH Filed Dec. 2, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIGZ.

imp"? M. H. RHODES March 20, 1934,

SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2, 1931 a. i "/A/ 25W w n w 4 J 9 Wu-W #1000, n "m 50, J: im rw m n"; E um Th? m 7., 7 W. ,Im 17% m ,0 mm ,0 1w m; 1;? M fi Wm m M! 1/7 Ill March 20, 1934. RHODES 1,951,490

SWITCH Filed Dec. 2, 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Mar. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES SWITCH Marcus H. Rhodes, Hartford, Conn., assignor to M. H. Rhodes, Inc., Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application December 2, 1931, Serial No. 578,596

2 Claims.

This invention relates to switches, and with regard to certain more specific features, to timecontrolled, delayed action switches. The construction herein disclosed comprises an improvement over the construction shown in my copending patent application, Serial Number 515,728, filed February 14, 1931.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a switch of the class described which includes unitary means for alternatingly delaying the time at which contact will be made or delaying time after which contact will be broken; the provision of a switch of the class described in which the time delay feature is operable in a single adjustable means whether the delay be utilized for delay in making or delay in breaking contact; the provision of a switch of the class described which includes an intermittent stop mechanism whereby the switch may be empowered to operate for. considerably longer periods than heretofore; and the provision of a switch of the class described which is relatively simple in construction and operation and which involves a minimum number of complicated and delicate parts. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts, steps and sequence of steps, which will be exemplified in the structure hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a switch embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the switch of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a supporting plate;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an ideal section taken along line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary section taken along line 7-- 7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 5 showing the switch in a condition of operation advanced from Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section similar to Figs.

' 5 and 8 illustrating the switch in a. further advanced condition of operation from Figs. 5 and 8; Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken along line 10--10 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 11 is an ideal section taken along line 1111 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating the manner in which a main spring is mounted;

Fig. 13 is a-fragmentmy horizontal section taken along line 13-43 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary section taken on lines 14l4 of Fig. 11; and,

Fig. 15 is a trimetric view of a latch lever.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, numeral 1 indicated a flush face plate of the type in general use for wall mounting of electrical switches. A central opening 3 permits a control handle 5 of a switch 7 to extend outwardly to an available manipulating position. Screws 9 hold the faceplate 1 to the switch 7.

A second opening 2 in the face plate 1 permits a knurled settling wheel 4 to project through" said face plate 1. The wheel 4 permits adjustment of the time at which electrical connection will be made and broken as will appear more fully hereinafter. Noses or pointers 10 are provided on the face plate 1 for indicating, by relation to suitable indicia on the wheel 4, the time at which connections will be made and broken.

A third opening 8 in the face plate 1 permits reading of suitable indicia upon a dial formed in the switch, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

From the exterior, the switch 7 will be seen to comprise a mounting plate 11 (with which the face plate screws 9 engage) and a switch housing 13 having exterior connecting terminals 15 and 17 mounted thereon. The housing 13 is preferably formed of an insulating material, such as bakelite (phenolic condensation product) or the like. The housing 13 is held to the mounting plate 11 by screws 19 (see Figs. 4 and 5).

The mounting plate 11 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 3. It will be seen that it comprises a long, relatively narrow vertical portion 12 having sideward portions 21 and 23 extending at right angles from the general plane of the plate. A central opening 14 permits the passage of the switch handle 5. Openings 16 at the extremities of the plate 11 permit attachment of the switch as a whole to a permanently installed wall housing or the like. Threaded holes 18 are provided to receive the face plate mounting screws 9 and threaded holes 20 to receive the switch housing mounting screws 19.

The switch 7 per se, as it fits within the housing 13, comprises generally a contactor bar which is actuated to movement by mechanical means, and a timing system which in turn intercepts the operation of the mechanical actuating means. For purposes of description, the mechanical means (including the contactor bar) and the time control means will be described separately and then correlated.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be seen that a plate 25, which is shaped with substantially the same contour as the housing 13, is attached to the portion 21 of the mounting plate 11 by means of rivets or spot welding or the like as indicated at numeral 27 in Fig. 5. Supported at one side in the plate 25, and at the other side in the sideward portion 23, is a pin 29, upon which the control handle 5 is rotated.

The switch control handle 5 comprises a semicircular portion 31 from which extends a knob 33 for manipulation purposes. The back, concealed (in the assembled switch) portion of the switch 5 is reduced in thickness as at numeral 35 (Figs. 6 and 7) and has a contour including a projection 37 having a nose 39 thereon, and a depression, or hollowed-out portion 41. The pin 29 upon which the handle 5 is rotated passes through the thin portion 35, in the region of the projection 37.

Mounted rigidly on the switch handle 5, embracing the thin portion 35 thereof, and extending into the depression 41, is a saddle member 43. This saddle 43 comprises a pair of legs 45, which fit snugly against the sides of the handle 5, and has a cross-piece 4'7 at right angles to the legs 45. The pin 29 passes through the legs 45. The

cross-piece 47 engages the nose 39 of the projection 37 of the switch 5, whereby the saddle 43 is, relative to rotation on the pin 29, fixed to the handle 5. That is to say, the saddle 43 is mounted on the handle 5 in a fixed, non-rotatable manner. The cross-piece 47 is provided with a nose 49 which engages one end of a compression spring 51 to be described more in detail hereinafter.

Associated with the saddle 43 is a movement limiting means for the handle .5 (see Fig. 7) The movement limiting means per se comprises a flat h shaped piece 53, having parallel legs 55 and 57, and a single extending leg 59. The leg 55 passes loosely through a pair of holes 61 in the legs 45 of the saddle 43. The single extending leg 59 passes through a slot 63 in the plate 25 having a predetermined length. Considering that the saddle 43 is fixed to the handle 5, and that the plate 25 is relatively a part of the stationary ground wherein the handle 5 rotates, it will be seen that engagement of the single extending leg 59 with the ends of the slot 63 limits the rotation or movement of the handle 5.

Also mounted on the pin 29, in this instance rotatably mounted, is a second saddle 65 embracing the saddle 43. The saddle 65, hereinafter termed the hammer saddle, (see Fig. 6) comprises a pair of relatively long legs 67, through which the pin 29 passes (loosely enough to permit of ready rotation), and a hammer portion 69 at right angles thereto. The hammer portion 69 has a nose 71 thereon which engages the other end of the compression spring 51. Movement of the hammer saddle 65 is limited by a pair of cars 73 struck from the plate 25. A notch 74 permits the passage of a latching means as will be described more particularly hereinafter.

It will be seen that the saddles 43 and 65 together with the compression spring 51 comprise an overcentering toggle. In Fig. 5, motion of the handle 5 in a leftward direction, through the saddle 43, compresses the spring 51 against the saddle 65, which is immovable because of its engagement with the right-hand car 73, until the saddles 43 and 65 pass the parallel position, at which time the compressed spring reacts to suddenly throw the hammer saddle 65 to the left against the left-hand movement-limiting ear 73. A similar reaction and overcentering action causes the hammer saddle 65 to snap sharply from the left to the right, when the handle 5 is moved back to its right-hand position.

In this manner, the switch functions to make and break connections with a quick, positive, snap action, and arcing and sparking are thus avoided.

The electrical connections in the switch will be seen particularly in Figs. 4, 5, 8 and 9. The exterior terminals 15 and 17 comprise, respectively, metallic strips 75 and 77 which are held to the'housing 13 by means of screws 79, and which receive in threaded engagement screws 81 (see Fig. 4). By means of the screws 81, exterior connections to the switch are made. The metallic strip '75 extends into the housing 13, spaced from the side wall thereof, and is provided with a slanting knife-edge contacting portion 83. The metallic strip 7'7 extends into the housing 13, also spaced from theside wall thereof, and is provided with a knife-edge contacting portion 85 similar to the contacting portion 81, but facing in a different direction.

Formed in interior of the back of the housing 13 is a protruding ear 87. A pin or shaft 89 passes through the side of the housing 13 and threadedly engages the ear 87 (see Figs. 4 and 6). On the pin 89 is rotatably mounted a contactor bar-anvil assembly 91. The parts of the assembly 91 are non-rotatable or otherwise movable relative to each other, but the assembly as a whole rotates freely on the pin 89.

The assembly 91 comprises an anvil piece 93, and a contactor bar 95, together with suitable spacing washers, all mounted on a sleeve 97 through which passes the pin 89. The anvil piece 93, preferably formed of insulating material, includes a notch 99 which engages the hammer portion 69 of the hammer saddle 65 (see Fig. 5). The contactor bar 95 comprises a pair of springmetal strips 101 shaped to engage and disengage, by rotation on the pin 89, the knife-edge contacting strips 83 and 85. The relative shape of the bar 95 and the spacing of the contacting strips 83 and 85 will be apparent from Fig. 5.

As the hammer saddle 65 snaps from Fig. 5 position to Fig. 9 position, as described hereinbefore, its engagement with the notch 99 in the anvil piece 93 causes the assembly 91 to rotate, as a whole, on the pin 89, and consequently causes the contactor bar 95 to rotate into and out of contact with the pieces 83 and 85. Thus making and breaking of an electrical connection from terminal 15 to terminal 17 is effected in a sudden, snap-acting manner by simple movement of the switch control handle 5.

It is accordingly seen, considering for the present that no time-controlled latching means is in operation, that making and breaking of an electrical connection between terminals 15 and 17 is effected in a sudden, snap-acting manner by a simple movement of the switch control handle 5.

The time controlling mechanism is illustrated generally in Figs. 4 and 10.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 10, it will be seen that the knurled wheel 4 is mounted on a main shaft 109, which is in turn supported at one end in a plate 111 and at the other in the plate 25. The plate 111 is substantially the same shape as the plate 25, described hereinbefore in connection with the switch construction. The

plate 111 is supported on the plate in spaced relationship by means of spacing collars 115 and screws 117 (see F18. 4).

Mounted on the main shaft 109 in such a manner as to react against th relatively stationary plate 111 is a main spring 119. The manner of mounting the main spring 119 is illustrated more in detail in Fig. 12 where it will be seen that one end of said spring passes around and hooks upon an car 121 struck from the plate 111, while the other end of said spring 119 is hooked over a projection 123 formed on the main shaft 109. A pair of cars 125, likewise struck from the plate 111, serves to hold the main spring 119 in coiled form.

In order to prevent the main spring 119 from releasing sidewardly, and in order to provide axlditional protection against the main spring 119 uncoiling, a main spring protecting cover 127 is provided on the main shaft 109 (see also Fig. 11). The knurled wheel 4 and the main spring cover 127 are prevented from rotating on the main shaft 199 because they are formed so as to engage a flattened portion 129 on the main shaft 109 (see Fig. 12).

The main spring cover 127 bears on the periphery thereof suitable index characters which are visible through the opening 8 in the face plate 1 and thus provides means for reading the extent to which the main spring is wound, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

it will accordingly be seen that turning of the knurled wheel 4 winds up the main spring 119, thereby occasioning a reverse torque on the main shaft 109.

An escapement mechanism is provided to permit the torque so produced in the main spring 119 to expend itself by rotating the main shaft 199 only at a predetermined rate of speed. This escapement is shown in Figs. 10 and 11. A large gear 131 is mounted loosely on the main shaft 109. A friction disk 133 is mounted in a non-rotatable manner on the main shaft 109 in juxtaposition to the large gear 131, in such a manner that the shaft 109 may turn, when winding up the main spring 119, without rotating the large gear 131, but also so that the frictional engagement of the disk 133 with the gear 131 will not permit the main spring 119, after it has been wound up, to unwind without turning the gear 131, which is itself connected to the regulating escapement mechanism. It is thus seen that the gear 131 remains stationary when the main spring 119 is wound by rotation of the knurled wheel 4, but that on unwinding of the main spring 119, the gear. 131 is effectively non-rotatable upon the main shaft 109.

Engaging the teeth of the gear 131 is a gear train. "in the present embodiment the gear train comprises a pinion 135, driven by the gear 131, and which is mounted on a shaft 137 supported between the plates 111 and 25. Also mounted upon the shaft 137 in an immovable fashion is a large gear 139. The large gear 139 in turn drives a second pinion 141 on a shaft 143 having a second large gear 145 mounted thereon. The pinion 141, shaft 143, and large gear 145 are, respectively, similar to the pinion 135, shaft 137, and large gear 139. v

The large gear 145 in its turn drives a third pinion 147, similar to the pinions 135 and 141, which is mounted on a shaft 149, similar to the shafts 137 and 143. Immovably mounted on the shaft 149 is also a large gear 146, which is similar to the gears 139 and 145. lhe large gear 146 in its turn drives a pinion 148, mounted on a shaft 150. Immovably mounted on the shaft 150 is also a sprocket wheel 151, the shape of which will be more apparent by inspection of Fig. 14; The shafts 137, 143, 149, and 150 are all supported by end bearings in the plates 111 and 25.

It will be seen that there is a large increase in angular motion from the gear 131 to the sprocket wheel 151, or, considering it in the reverse manner, there is a large decrease in angular motion from the sprocket wheel 151 to the gear 131. This increase or decrease, considered either way, is controlled by the relative sizes of the gears 131, 139, 145, and 146, and the pinions 135, 141, 147, and 148.

Engaging with the sprocket wheel 151 is the escapement mechanism per se. This escapement mechanism (see also Figs. and 14) comprises a balance wheel 153 mounted on a balance wheel shaft 155, which is pivoted between bearing plates 157 and 159 which are threaded into the plates 1 1 and 25, respectively. The bearing plate 157 is provided with a square head so that adjustment 'of the pressure on the shaft 155 may be effected. In general, the bearing plates 157 and 159 are adjusted so that the shaft 155 turns loosely in them.

A hair spring 161 is secured at one end to the shaft 155, as indicated at numeral 163 (Fig. 13), and at the other end to the relatively stationary plate 111, as at numeral 165 (Fig. 11). This hair spring 161 is arranged to provide a small counterclockwise torque on the shaft 155, as viewed from the side represented by the plate 111.

The shaft 155 is provided with a notch 167 out therein, at the region of its engagement with the sprocket wheel 151. The notch 167, when in a proper position, permits the sprocket wheel 151 to turn freely, as will be described hereinafter.

Extending at substantially a right angle from a spoke of the balance wheel 153 is a pin 169. 1115 The pin 169 engages teeth of the sprocket wheel 151 and cooperates with the notch 167 to form an intermittent escapement mechanism for the sprocket wheel 151. This escapement operation will be apparent by reference to Fig. 14. In Fig. 120 14, there is a clockwise torque on the sprocket wheel 151 provided by the main spring 119 acting through the gear train 131, 135, 139, 141, 145, 147,

146 and 149. There is a smaller counter-clockwise torque on the balance wheel 153 provided 125 by the hair spring 161. The torque on the balance wheel 153 forces the pin 169 against the edge of a tooth 171 of the sprocket wheel 151. The greater torque on the tooth 171 causes it to advance, thereby forcing the pin 169, by a cam action, to rotate against the torque of the hair spring 161. Rotation of the pin 169 causes coextensive rotation of the balance wheel 153, and the balance wheel shaft 155. The shaft 155 is thus caused to rotate in such a manner that the notch 167 is turned away from a next-advancing tooth 173 of the sprocket wheel 151. Without the notch 167 in proper position, the tooth 173 cannot pass the balance wheel shaft 155, and is stopped thereby.

Returning to the action of the tooth 171 on the pin 169, the force on said pin exerted by the tooth 171 is sufliciently great to occasion the rotation of said pin 169, against the torque of the hair spring 161, to an extent considerably greater than merely 145 to pass over the crest of the tooth 171. In other words, the pin 169 is snapped away to rotate, say sixty degrees, against the hair spring 161. With the pin 169 out of the way, the sprocket wheel immediately turns until the next advancing tooth 150 173 is stopped by contact with the smooth,circular portion of the shaft 155. This tooth 173 cannot advance until the shaft 155 turns sufficiently for it to pass through the notch 167.

Meanwhile, the pin 169 reaches its maximum rotation against the hair spring 161, and the hair spring then at once reacts to reverse the direction of rotation of the pin 169 and thus force said pin back towards the sprocket wheel 151. With the tooth 173 against the shaft 155, the pin 169 is rotated into the depression between the teeth 171 and 173. This rotation of the pin 169 by the hair spring 161 occasions coextensive rotation of the shaft 155, with the result that as the pin 169 reaches a position of contact with the forward edge of the tooth 173, the notch 167 is brought into proper position to permit the forward rotation of the tooth 173, acting under the torque of the main spring 119. So advancing, the leading edge of the tooth 173 engages and rotates the pin 169 against the torque of the hair spring 161, and the action of the tooth 171 is thus repeated by the tooth 173.

In such a manner the balance wheel 153 and its attached parts serve to permit only timed, intermittent motion of the sprocket wheel 151, and, through the gear train 148, 147, 146, 145, 141, 139, 135, 131, the main shaft 109. By reason of the reduction effect of the gear train, as described hereinbefore, the main shaft 109 is accordingly permitted to rotate at only a very slow speed, and the main spring 119, after being wound up, thus unwinds only very slowly.

Referring to Fig. 10 it will be seen that there is affixed to the main shaft 109 a one-tooth pinion 175. A fiat 177, or other suitable key means, is provided to secure the pinion 175 immovably on the shaft 109. The single tooth 1'79 of the pinion 175 provides the means whereby the latching operation for the switch mechanism per se is mechanically controlled by the timing mechanism hereinbefore described.

Suitably positioned on a shaft 181 mounted in the plate 111 is a sector gear 183. A spring washer 185 prevents the sector gear 183 from moving except under externally applied impulses. The number of teeth on the sector gear 183 is established to correlate with the maximum time setting it is desired to equip the mechanism for, as a whole. One tooth is provided for each desired complete revolution of the knurled wheel 4.

Also provided on the sector gear 183 is a nose or camming surface 187, which functions to actuate a latch lever to be described.

It will be seen that upon turning the knurled wheel 4 in a clockwise position, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 10, the sector gear 183 is angularly displaced in a counterclockwise direction to the extent of one tooth for each complete revolution of the knurled wheel 4. This arrangement is highly advantageous, in that it permits the main spring 119 to be tensioned to an extent far greater than in prior devices, wherein the tensioning was limited to that occasioned by one revolution of-the knurled wheel 4 only. In the embodiment as shown, the sector gear 183 provides means whereby the knurled wheel 4 may be rotated a maximum of four complete turns. It is evident, however, that by suitably increasing the number of teeth on the sector gear, this maximum number of revolutions may be in creased to any desired number. Similarly, by reduction of the number of teeth on the sector gear 183, the total maximum number of revolutions of the knurled wheel 4 may be decreased.

Rotatably mounted on a pin 189 held in the plate 25 is a latch lever 191 illustrated in detail in Fig. 15. Referring to Fig. 15, it will be seen that the latch lever comprises a relatively hori-- zontal, long portion 193 which has an upwardly extending portion or arm 195. At one end of the portion 193 is a suitable hole 197 for accommodating the mounting pin 189. At the same end is a nose 199, which is arranged to engage a leaf spring 201 (see Fig. 5) suitably secured to the plate 25 as at numeral 203. The spring 201 reacting upon the nose 199 tends to rotate the latch lever 191 in a counterclockwise direction at all times. At the opposite end of the lever 191 is provided an upwardly extending arm or portion 205, which is upwardly terminated by an car 207 stuck at right angles thereto. In assembly, the ear 207 passes through an opening 209 (see Fig. 5) in the plate 25, and is suitably positioned for engagement with the nose 187 on the sector wheel 183.

In assembly, the ear or portion 195 of the latch lever 191 alternately extends into the path of the striking portion 69 of the hammer saddle 65, or is removed to permit free passage thereof because of the notch 74. This engagement will be described more completely in connection with the operation of the device.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:

Fig. 5 represents the switch as a whole in its disconnected 011" position with the knurled wheel 4 set for zero time delay. With the knurled wheel 4 so set, the nose 187 of the sector gear 183 is engaging the projection 207 and holding the latch 191 out of operating position with respect to the hammer saddle 65. In other words, with the knurled wheel 4 at its zero setting, the latch 191 is ineffectual to prevent motion of the hammer saddle 65.

If it be desired to make a connection without any time delay, the main switch control handle 5 is thrown to the left and the overcentering action of the compression spring 51 swings the hammer saddle 65 to the left and causes the contactor bar 95 to complete the circuit between the terminal pieces 75 and 77.

If, however, it is desired that a time delay be interposed between the time at which the con trol lever 5 is thrown to the left and the time that the contact is made, the knurled wheel 4 is rotated to the proper indicia as determined by the period of time desired. For example, each rotation of the knurled wheel 4 may represent a four-hour interval, a 90 rotation thereby representing a one-hour interval. On account of the arrangement hereinbefore described the knurled wheel 4 may be set to represent any time up to four times its single rotation time, or sixteen hours total. Indicia on the knurled wheel 4 per se and on the main spring cover plate 127 make the reading of the desired time interval possible.

Rotation of the knurled wheel 4, in the manner described, removes the nose 187 and the sector gear 183 from engagement with the projection 207 of the latch lever 191, and thus permits the latch lever 191 to spring into position to intersect movement of the hammer saddle 65 under the influence of the leaf spring 201. Likewise upon rotation of the knurled wheel 4, tension is placed upon the main spring 119, with the result that a reverse torque is placed upon the main shaft 109 and the escapement mechanism commences to operate. The regulated motion of the escapement mechanism permits the main shaft 109 to rotate back to normal position only at a slow, predetermined rate. Immediately after the knurled wheel 4 has been rotated to its proper setting, the control handle 5 is thrown to its left-hand position. This throwing of the control handle 5 results in a pressure being made to bear upon the hammer saddle to cause it to tend to swing to the left. However, the latch 191 is interposed and prevents the hammer saddle 65 from changing its position. Fig. 8 represents the various elements of the switch at this stage of operation.

With the elements positioned as in Fig. 8, the escapement mechanism slowly permits the main shaft 109 to rotate back to its normal zero, position. As the shaft 109 approaches its normal position, the hose 187 on sector gear 183 moves into contact with the projection 207 on the lever 191 and ultimately, as the shaft 109 reaches its normal position, depresses the lever 191 to the extent that the projection 195 is forced out of engagement with the hammer saddle 65, and into the region of the notch 74. At the time the latch 191 is removed from engagement with the hammer saddle 65, the compression spring 51 immediately snaps the hammer saddle 65 sharply to the left, with the result that said hammer saddle rotates the contactor bar 95 into contact with the terminals '75 and '77 thereby completing the circuit after the desired interval of time has elapsed.

D sregarding the position of the latch lever 191, Fig. 9 correctly represents the relative positions of the elements at this stage of operation.

If, with the connections made and the elements positioned as above described, it is desired to disconnect the switch wlthout time interval, this may be accomplished by allowing the knurled wheel 4 to remain at its zero position and throwing the control handle 5 from the left to the right. Again, with the narrow wheel 4 at its zero position, the latch 191 is out of engagement with the hammer saddle 65 and manipulation of the control handle 5 results in an im mediate throwing of said hammer saddle to the right, with the result that the contactor bar 95 is removed from connection and the circuit is broken.

If, however, it be desired that an interval of time pass between the instant of throwing the control handle back to the right-hand off position, the manipulation is similar to that described in connection with the introduction of a time interval for the making of the circuit contact. In this event, the knurled wheel 4 is again rotated until the proper setting is secured. With rotation of the knurled wheel 4, as has been described hereinbefore, the latch 191 is brought into operative position and the escapement mechanism started in operation. If the control handle 5 is now thrown to the right-hand position, the projection or nose 195, this time by means of its lefthand end, intercepts the motion of the hammer saddle 65. After the desired interval of time has elapsed, the latch 191 is again pushed by the timing train out of engagement with the hammer saddle 65 and the hammer saddle 65 then immediately snaps to disconnect the contactor bar 95.

It is thus seen that with a single adjusting means, comprising the knurled wheel 4, a time delay interval may be introduced both for the making and the breaking of an electrical connection within the switch. If at any time after such time delay feature has been put into operation, it is desired to hasten the time of either making or breaking the contacts this may be accomplished by manually turning the knurled wheel back to its zero" position, with which turning the latch 191 is manually brought out of operative relationship with the hammer saddle 65 and said hammer saddle permitted to swing freely. It is to be understood that such adjustments may be achieved regardless of the relative condition of the various elements of the switch, or whether the escapement has started to run and has not completely expired, or the like.

To recapitulate, a primary feature of the present invention comprises the provision of an intermittent stop mechanism represented by the single tooth pinion 1'75 and the sector gear 183, by means of which mutiple turn rotation of the knurled wheel 4 is permitted, and the maximum time setting of the switch as a whole is increased. While the maximum time setting of this switch is greatly increased over prior embodiments, par ticularly such as shown in my said prior patent application, the delicacy of adjustment is in no wise ail'ected, as the knurled wheel 4 may as well be rotated to any angular position within 360 complete rotation, as in said prior application. A time switch is accordingly provided in which a maximum delicacy of adjustment is provided over a far greater total range of time than in prior devices.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A time delay switch comprising a control handle, means for effecting electrical connection, a time delay mechanism, a latch operated by said time delay mechanism adapted to control the time of operation of said electrical connecting means, rotatable means for adjusting said time delay mechanism whereby the extent 01' time delay may be regulated, and intermittent stop means between said adjusting means and said latch permitting rotation of said adjusting means through greater than 360, said intermittent stop means comprising a, single tooth pinion. and a sector ear.

2. A time delay switch comprising a control handle, means for eiiecting electrical connection, a time delay mechanism, a latch operated by said time delay mechanism adapted to control the time of operation of said electrical connecting means, rotatable means -for adjusting said time delay mechanism whereby the extent of time delay may be regulated, and intermittent stop means between said adjusting means and said latch permitting rotation of said adjusting means through greater than 360, said intermittent stop means comprising a single tooth pinion and a sector gear, said single tooth pinion being operated directly by said time delay mechanism, and said sector gear being interposed between said single tooth pinion and said latch.

MARCUS H. RHODES.

l-ifl 

